FPGA Full Form
What is the full form of FPGA?
FPGA stands for Field Programmable Gate Array. An FPGA is an integrated circuit (IC) that has been configured to carry out specific functions for a certain purpose. It may be customized by a designer or consumer after production, thus the phrase "field-programmable." A hardware description language (HDL) similar to that used for an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) is typically used to specify the configuration of an FPGA, which includes thousands of gates. Earlier, the configuration's parameters were established via circuit diagrams. Due to the development of electrical design automation technologies, it is now becoming more and more uncommon.
- What is the full form of FPGA?
- History of FPGA
- Architecture of FPGA
- Uses of FPGA
- Applications of FPGA
- Advantages of FPGA
- Disadvantages of FPGA
A hierarchy of reconfigurable interconnects and a collection of programmable logic blocks are both included in FPGAs. These enable the blocks to interconnect exactly like several logic gates interwire in different combinations. FPGAs can begin SW (system software) development concurrently with HW (hardware). Before the system architecture is finally frozen, they enable various system partitioning (HW and SW) experiments. They also make it easier to simulate system performance in the early stages of development. They play a significant part in the creation of embedded systems as a result.
History of FPGA
PLDs and PROM (programmable read-only memory) gave rise to the FPGA industry (programmable logic devices).
PROMs and PLDs may both be batch-programmed in a factory or out in the field (field-programmable). However, in the past, the programmable logic was hard-wired in between the logic gates.
The EP300, the first reprogrammable logic chip in the industry, was supplied by Altera in 1984.
The XC2064, created in 1985 by Ross Freeman and Bernard Vonderschmitt, co-founders of Xilinx, was the first field-programmable gate array to be commercially successful.
It contained two three-input LUTs and 64 customizable logic blocks (CLBs) (lookup tables).
Xilinx and Altera saw rapid growth between 1985 and the mid-1990s. By 1993, Actel (now Microsemi) started to provide around 18% of the market.
By 2013, Xilinx (36%), Actel (10%), and Altera (31%) collectively accounted for around 77% of the FPGA market.
The output of FPAs increased significantly in the 1990s, as did the level of circuit sophistication.
FPGA use in networking and telecommunications dates back to the early 1990s. At the conclusion of the decade, it also made an appearance in automotive, consumer, and industrial applications.
In 2014, Microsoft first used FPGAs. They started integrating FPGAs into additional data centre workloads and Azure cloud platforms in 2018.
Architecture of FPGA
Thousands of crucial components known as CLBs (Configurable Logic Blocks) are found in FPGA and are covered with fabrics (a system of programmable interconnects).
A fabric controls the I/O blocks' interaction with the FPGA and the external device as well as the communication between CLBs.
Full Adders, Multiplexers, D flip-flops, and a LUT make comprise a logic block (lookup table). It serves as the cornerstone of an FPGA.
The output of every given input is decided by the LUTs.
LUTs with 4-6 input bits are commonly utilized. With more testing, they can even reach 8 bits. The LUT output is also stored in the D flip-flop.
Uses of FPGA
There are several uses for FPGAs. Here is how one might categorize it based on how someone utilizes it:
High-end FPGAs: These FPGAs have a large gate density. They are therefore more complicated than the mid-range. They perform better than entry-level and mid-range FPGAs.
Low-end FPGAs: Compared to mid-range and high-end FPGAs, these FPGAs use less power. Because there are fewer gates, they are also simpler.
Mid-Range FPGAs: These FPGAs use more power than low-end FPGAs while using less power than high-end FPGAs. They are more sophisticated since they have more gates than the low-end. They aid in keeping a balance between price and performance.
Applications of FPGA
Processing of images in SDRs
Weaponry for defence
Prototype ASIC
WCDMA, WiMAX, and other wireless communications
Computers with high performance
Various diagnostic tools are employed
Therapeutic equipment
Personal electronics
Household set-top boxes, etc.
Displays using flat panels
Advantages of FPGA
Parallel processing is possible using FPGA.
Comparatively speaking, it performs better than a regular CPU.
The price is reasonable.
They assist you in quickly completing your product development. They may be quickly and easily released on the market.
Disadvantages of FPGA
It uses more energy.
The power optimization process is out of the coders' hands.
An FPGA can only be used when manufacturing is minimal.
The programming required is more complex than plain C programming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The number of configurations an FPGA may undergo is unbounded. Flash memory has a limit on how many times it can be written usually 10k or 100k times.
The speed at which an FPGA design can operate and process data is controlled by a clock, which is an FPGA system that can have a maximum frequency of up to 1GHz.
Typically, a CPU is in control, and the FPGA speeds up certain duties that have been outsourced. A hack on an FPGA is less likely to result in the attacker taking over the system than an attack on a CPU. Tate remarked, "Even if you did manage to gain control of the FPGA, you can't take control of the system.
FPGAs can perform better than GPUs in deep learning applications when low latency is important. To balance performance needs with power efficiency, FPGAs may be fine-tuned.
A microcontroller and a field-programmable gate or grid array (FPGA) are comparable but distinct devices. They are both essentially integrated circuits, or "small computers," that are used in many goods and gadgets.